Liberal International, 08.11.2015

“In Liberal International we are shocked by the short-time arrest of Sergei Mitrokhin, chairman of our member party in Russia – Yabloko,” said Markus Löning, Vice President on the LI Bureau and Chairman of the LI Human Rights Committee, in reaction to this weekend’s news from Moscow.

Mr Löning continued: “Mr Mitrokhin was exerting his right to publically commemorate Russian fighters against Bolshevism. As in the past years he was laying flowers as a gesture of recognition.”

“In Liberal International we are pleased that Sergei Mitrokhan has been released in the meantime, but remain deeply worried about investigations and threats to take him to court. Any investigation or court procedure against Mr Mitrokhin must be stopped immediately.”

“Liberals and democrats are under heavy pressure by authorities in Russia. We are calling on the Russian president and Russian authorities to actively protect and defend freedom of expression as is their duty under international law,” concluded LI HRC Chair.

At the 60th LI Congress in Mexico City, the delegates voted The Wolrd Today resolution which states: “Liberal International expresses renewed solidarity with YABLOKO, its member party in Russia, which operates in an increasingly authoritarian political environment. LI is deeply concerned about increasing authoritarianism in Russia, which is not in the interest of the Russian people.”
The original publication